Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive success of black skimmers in south Texas, 1984
Ninety-four Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger) nests on a dredged-material island colony near Laguna Vista, Texas, were fenced and monitored in 1984 from early incubation until 21 d after the last egg hatched. The daily probability of success was greater during the nestling (99.7%/d/nest) period than during the incubation (98.5%) or hatching (98.5%) periods. By contrast, the success of eggs or young in successful nests was greater during the incubation (91.3%) and hatching (84.3%) periods than the nestling period (63.8%). An estimated 1.1 young/nest survived to 21 d of age. DDE concentrations in eggs were lower in 1984 than in eggs from the same colony in 1979-1981. DDE was higher in eggs taken from nests where none of the remaining eggs hatched (.hivin.x = 5.9 ppm) compared to eggs taken from nests where all the remaining eggs hatched (.hivin.x = 1.9 ppm).
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1987 |
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Title | Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive success of black skimmers in south Texas, 1984 |
Authors | T. W. Custer, C. A. Mitchell |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
Index ID | 5221539 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |